Preheat fuel delivery system

ABSTRACT

A preheat fuel delivery system includes a fuel processor and a source of vaporized fuel. A vapor outlet line of the source of vaporized fuel is attached to the inlet fuel port of the fuel processor. An outlet fuel port of the fuel processor is connected to an intake port of a combustion source. An exhaust port of the combustion source is attached to an exhaust intake port of the fuel processor. The heat from the exhaust gases of the combustion source heat the vaporized fuel inside the fuel processor. A first embodiment of the fuel processor contains a plurality of plates. A second embodiment of the fuel processor utilizes a plurality concentric tubes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fuel delivery systems andmore specifically to a preheat fuel delivery system which greatlyincreases fuel efficiency of a combustion source.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

There are numerous patents directed at increasing the fuel efficiency ofsome type of combustion source. Some of these patents include U.S. Pat.No. 4,735,186 to Parsons, U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,273 to Brown, U.S. Pat.No. 5,379,728 to Cooke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,973 to Spangjer, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,794,601 to Patone.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a preheat fueldelivery system which has an uncomplicated design, may be easilyconfigured for different types of combustion sources, greatly increasesfuel efficiency, and may be used with any type of combustion sourcewithout having to make modifications to the combustion source.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a preheat fuel delivery system with anuncomplicated design that greatly increases fuel efficiency. The preheatfuel delivery system includes a fuel processor and a bubbler fuel tank.The bubbler tank includes a fuel container, container cover, inletsupply line, and vapor outlet line. The inlet supply and vapor outletlines are inserted through the container cover. The inlet supply linecontinues to a bottom of the fuel container. The vapor outlet line maybe flush with a bottom of the container cover. The container cover issealed to a top of the container. The vapor outlet line is attached toan inlet fuel port of the fuel processor. An outlet fuel port of thefuel processor is connected to an intake manifold through a fuel outletline. The intake manifold is attached to an intake port of a combustionsource. The intake manifold includes a fuel inlet port and an air inletport. An air cleaner is preferably attached to the air inlet port.

One end of an exhaust intake line is connected to the exhaust port of acombustion source and the other end of the exhaust intake line isattached to an inlet exhaust port of the fuel processor. One end of anexhaust outlet line is attached to an outlet exhaust port of the fuelprocessor and the other end is attached to a muffler. The heat from theexhaust of the combustion source heats the vaporized fuel from thebubbler fuel tank. The vaporized fuel is pulled into the intake port ofthe combustion source by vacuum. The preheated fuel provides a moreefficient burning of the fuel. Exhaust gases from the outlet exhaustport may be fed into the inlet supply line of the bubbler tank tofurther increase fuel efficiency.

A first embodiment of a fuel processor includes a pair of inlet/outletplates, at least one heater plate, at least one exhaust transfer plate,and at least one fuel transfer plate. Each inlet/outlet plate includes afuel nipple and exhaust nipple for attachment of fuel and exhaust lines.A single inlet/outlet plate terminates each end of the fuel processor.Exhaust gases from the combustion source flows through an exhausttransfer plate and heats the at least one heater plate. Fuel flowingthrough the fuel transfer plate absorbs heat from the at least oneheater plate.

A second embodiment of a fuel processor includes a center tube, a middletube, and an outside tube. Preferably, exhaust gases from the combustionsource enter the center tube and exit through the space between themiddle and outer tubes. The vaporized fuel enters and exits through thespace between the center and middle tubes. The heat from the exhaustgases preheat the vaporized fuel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apreheat fuel delivery system which has an uncomplicated design.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a preheatfuel delivery system which is easily configured for different types ofcombustion sources.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a preheatfuel delivery system which greatly increases fuel efficiency.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide apreheat fuel delivery system which may be used with any type ofcombustion source without having to make modifications to the combustionsource.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preheat fuel delivery system in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a fuel processor of a preheatfuel delivery system in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a preheat fuel delivery system with a secondembodiment of the fuel processor in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a fuelprocessor of a preheat fuel delivery system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of exhaust gases being partially fed backinto the bubbler air supply line in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a side view of a preheat fuel delivery system 1. The preheat fueldelivery system 1 includes a fuel processor 10 and a bubbler fuel tank12. The bubbler tank 12 includes a fuel container 14, container cover16, inlet supply line 18, and vapor outlet line 20. The inlet supply andvapor outlet lines are inserted through the container cover 16. Theinlet supply line 18 continues to substantially a bottom of the fuelcontainer 16. Preferably, the inlet supply line 18 has a valve 19 tocontrol the amount of air entering the bubbler tank 12. The vapor outletline 20 may be flush with a bottom of the container cover 16. Thecontainer cover 16 is sealed to a top of the container 14. The vaporoutlet line 20 is attached to the inlet fuel port 22 of the fuelprocessor 10. An outlet fuel port 24 of the fuel processor 10 isconnected to an intake manifold 26 through a fuel outlet line 28. FIG. 1does not show the true position of the outlet fuel port 24 to betterillustrate the fuel outlet line 28. The intake manifold 26 is attachedto an intake port 102 of a combustion source 100. The intake manifold 26includes a fuel inlet port 30 and an air inlet port 32. An air cleaner34 is preferably attached to the air inlet port 32. Preferably, the airinlet port 32 has a valve 33 to control the amount of air entering theintake port 102. Lines are preferably attached to the fuel processor 10with hose clamps 46, but other attachment devices may also be used.

One end of an exhaust intake line 36 is connected to the exhaust port104 of the combustion source 100 and the other end of the exhaust intakeline 36 is attached to an inlet exhaust port 38 of the fuel processor10. One end of an exhaust outlet line 40 is attached to an outletexhaust port 42 of the fuel processor 10 and the other end is attachedto a muffler 44. Fuel 106 vaporizes in the bubbler fuel tank 14 andenters the fuel processor 10 through the vapor outlet line 20. The fuel106 is replaced by a gas (such as air or possibly exhaust fumes)entering the inlet supply line 18. The vaporized fuel is pulled throughthe fuel processor 10 into the intake port 102 by vacuum from thecombustion source 100. With reference to FIG. 2, the fuel processor 10includes a pair of inlet/outlet plates 48, at least one heater plate 50,at least one fuel transfer plate 52, and at least one exhaust transferplate 54. Each inlet/outlet plate 48 preferably includes a n exhaustnipple 56 and a fuel nipple 58 for attachment of fuel and exhaust lines.Other methods of attaching lines may also be used. A single inlet/outletplate 48 terminates each end of the fuel processor 10. It is preferableto have two exhaust transfer plates 54 and two heater plates 50 for asingle fuel transfer plate 52 as shown in FIG. 2. Each heater plate 50includes a fuel passage 60 and an exhaust passage 62. Each transferplate includes a passage opening 64 and a transfer area 66.

The jog in the flow path of the exhaust gas through the fuel processor10 forces the exhaust gas to flow through the transfer area 66 and heatthe surface of each heater plate 50. The jog in the flow path of thevaporized fuel forces thereof to flow across each heater plate 50 andabsorb the heat energy therein. The plurality of plates are preferablyretained against each other by forming holes 68 in the corners thereof,inserting a threaded stud 70, and tightening a nut 72 on each end of thethreaded stud 70, other assembly methods may also be used.

With reference to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of a preheat fuel deliverysystem 2 includes a fuel processor 74 and a bubbler fuel tank 12. Thevapor outlet line 20 extends from the bubbler fuel tank 12 and isattached to the inlet fuel port 76 of the fuel processor 74. An outletfuel port 78 of the fuel processor 74 is connected to an intake manifold26 through a fuel outlet line 28. The intake manifold 26 is attached tothe intake port 102 of the combustion source 100. The intake manifold 26includes the fuel inlet port 30 and the air inlet port 32. Lines arepreferably attached to the fuel processor 74 with hose clamps 46, butother attachment devices may also be used.

One end of an exhaust intake line 36 is connected to the exhaust port104 of the combustion source 100 and the other end of the exhaust intakeline 36 is attached to an inlet exhaust port 80 of the fuel processor74. One end of an exhaust outlet line 82 is attached to an outletexhaust port 84 of the fuel processor 74 and the other end is attachedto a muffler 44.

With reference to FIG. 4, the fuel processor 74 includes a first end cap86, a second end cap 88, a center tube 90, a middle tube 92, and anoutside tube 94. The tubes are preferably retained concentric to eachother. The exhaust gases are preferably routed through the center tube90, then through the space between the middle and outside tubes. Thevaporized fuel is routed through the space between the center and middletubes.

The tubes are terminated on one end by the first end cap 86 and on theother end by the second end cap 88. The first end cap preferablyincludes a cover cap 98 and a path cap 96. The path cap 96 retains thetubes and the cover cap 98 is attached to the path cap 96 to seal atleast one exposed exhaust passage 110. Vaporized fuel enters the spacebetween the center and middle tubes through the inlet fuel port 76. Thevaporized fuel exits through an outlet fuel port 78 formed in the secondend cap 88. The exhaust gases enter the center tube 90 through the inletexhaust port 80 formed in the second end cap 88. The exhaust gases flowthrough the center tube 90, the at least one exhaust passage 110, andthe space between the outer and middle tubes. The exhaust gases in thecenter tube 90 and the space between the outer and middle tubes heat thevaporized fuel between the center and middle tubes. The exhaust gasesexit through the outlet exhaust port 84.

With reference to FIG. 5, the exhaust may be partially fed back into thepreheat fuel delivery system 1 or 2 by connecting the exhaust outletline 40 to the inlet supply line 18 through a limiting valve 112. Thelimiting valve controls the amount of exhaust gases entering the inletsupply line 18. The exhaust gases further increase fuel efficiency. Thebubbler tank 12 in either embodiment may be replaced by fuel injection.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A preheat fuel delivery system for a combustion sourcecomprising: a bubbler fuel tank including a fuel container, an inlet,and a vapor outlet; and a fuel processor including a first inlet/outletplate, a second inlet/outlet plate, at least one heater plate, at leastone exhaust transfer plate, and at least one fuel transfer plate, saidfirst inlet/outlet plate receiving vaporized fuel from said vaporoutlet, said second inlet/outlet plate being connected to an intake portand an exhaust port of the combustion source, exhaust gases from theexhaust port passing through said at least one exhaust transfer plateand heating said at least one heater plate, the vaporized fuel passingthrough said at least one fuel transfer plate and absorbing heat fromsaid at least one heater plate.
 2. The preheat fuel delivery system fora combustion source of claim 1, further comprising: a single hole beingformed through each corner of each said plate; a single threaded studbeing inserted through each said hole in each said plate; and a nutbeing tightened on each end of each said threaded stud.
 3. The preheatfuel delivery system for a combustion source of claim 1, furthercomprising: each said inlet/outlet plate having an exhaust port and afuel port.
 4. The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustion sourceof claim 1, further comprising: said at least one heater plate having anexhaust passage and a fuel passage.
 5. The preheat fuel delivery systemfor a combustion source of claim 1, further comprising: each saidtransfer plate having a transfer area and a passage opening.
 6. Thepreheat fuel delivery system for a combustion source of claim 1, furthercomprising: an intake manifold having a fuel inlet port, an air inletport and an outlet port which is attached to the intake port of thecombustion source.
 7. The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustionsource of claim 1, further comprising: a muffler being attached to anexhaust outlet port of said fuel processor.
 8. A preheat fuel deliverysystem for a combustion source comprising: a bubbler fuel tank includinga fuel container, an intake, and a vapor outlet, vaporized fuel fromsaid fuel container being replaced with gas entering said air intake;and an intake manifold having a fuel inlet port, an air inlet port andan outlet port which is attached to the intake port of the combustionsource; and a fuel processor including a first inlet/outlet plate, asecond inlet/outlet plate, at least one heater plate, at least oneexhaust transfer plate, and at least one fuel transfer plate, said firstinlet/outlet plate receiving vaporized fuel from said vapor outlet, saidsecond inlet/outlet plate being connected to said intake manifold and anexhaust port of the combustion source, exhaust gases from the exhaustport entering said at least one exhaust transfer plate and heating saidat least one heater plate, the exhaust gases exiting through said firstinlet/outlet plate, the vaporized fuel entering said at least one fueltransfer plate and absorbing heat from said at least one heater plate,the vaporized fuel exiting through said second inlet/outlet plate. 9.The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustion source of claim 8,further comprising: a single hole being formed through each corner ofeach said plate; a single threaded stud being inserted through each saidhole in each said plate; and a nut being tightened on each end of eachsaid threaded stud.
 10. The preheat fuel delivery system for acombustion source of claim 8, further comprising: each said inlet/outletplate having an exhaust port and a fuel port.
 11. The preheat fueldelivery system for a combustion source of claim 8, further comprising:said at least one heater plate having an exhaust passage and a fuelpassage.
 12. The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustion source ofclaim 8, further comprising: each said transfer plate having a transferarea and a passage opening.
 13. The preheat fuel delivery system for acombustion source of claim 8, further comprising: a muffler beingattached to an exhaust outlet port of said fuel processor.
 14. A preheatfuel delivery system for a combustion source comprising: a bubbler fueltank including a fuel container, air intake, and a vapor outlet; and afuel processor including a first end cap, a second end cap, a centertube, a middle tube, and an outside tube, said middle tube beingdisposed between said center tube and said outside tube, exhaust gasesfrom an exhaust port of the combustion source entering said center tubethrough said second end cap, the exhaust gases being routed to anexhaust space between said middle and outside tubes by said first endcap, the exhaust gases exiting said exhaust space through an exhaustoutlet port in said second end cap, vaporized fuel entering a fuel spacebetween said center and middle tubes through said first end cap, thevaporized fuel absorbing heat from said center and outside tubes, thevaporized fuel exiting said second end cap into an intake port of thecombustion source.
 15. The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustionsource of claim 14, further comprising: said first end cap including acover cap and a path cap, said path cap retaining said tubes, said covercap being attached to said path cap to seal at least one exposed exhaustpassage.
 16. The preheat fuel delivery system for a combustion source ofclaim 14, further comprising: an intake manifold having a fuel inletport, an air inlet port and an outlet port which is attached to theintake port of the combustion source.
 17. The preheat fuel deliverysystem for a combustion source of claim 14, further comprising: amuffler being attached to an exhaust outlet port of said fuel processor.18. A method of superheating vaporized fuel comprising the steps of: (a)providing two inlet/outlet plates; (b) providing at least one heaterplate; (c) providing at least one exhaust transfer plate, and at leastone fuel transfer plate; (d) receiving exhaust gases through one of saidinlet/outlet plates, said exhaust traveling across at least one of saidat least one exhaust transfer plate, said at least one heater plateabsorbing heat from said exhaust gases, said exhaust gases exitingthrough one of said inlet/outlet plates; and (e) receiving vaporizedfuel through the other inlet/outlet plate, said vaporized fuel travelingacross at least one of said at least one fuel transfer plate, saidvaporized fuel absorbing heat from at least one of said at least oneheater plate, said vaporized fuel exiting through one of saidinlet/outlet plates.
 19. The method of superheating vaporized fuel ofclaim 18 wherein: a single hole being formed through each corner of eachsaid plate; a single threaded stud being inserted through each said holein each said plate; and a nut being tightened on each end of each saidthreaded stud.
 20. The method of superheating vaporized fuel of claim 18wherein: said at least one heater plate having at least one exhaustpassage and at least one fuel passage.
 21. The method of superheatingvaporized fuel of claim 18 wherein: each said transfer plate having atransfer area and at least one passage opening.
 22. A method ofsuperheating vaporized fuel comprising the steps of: (a) providing twoinlet/outlet plates; (b) providing at least one heater plate; (c)providing at least one exhaust transfer plate, and at least one fueltransfer plate; (d) receiving exhaust gases through one of saidinlet/outlet plates, said exhaust traveling across at least one of saidat least one exhaust transfer plate, said at least one heater plateabsorbing heat from said exhaust gases, said exhaust gases exitingthrough the other said inlet/outlet plate; and (e) receiving vaporizedfuel through the other said inlet/outlet plate, said vaporized fueltraveling across at least one of said at least one fuel transfer plate,said vaporized fuel absorbing heat from at least one of said at leastone heater plate, said vaporized fuel exiting through said oneinlet/outlet plate.
 23. The method of superheating vaporized fuel ofclaim 22 wherein: a single hole being formed through each corner of eachsaid plate; a single threaded stud being inserted through each said holein each said plate; and a nut being tightened on each end of each saidthreaded stud.
 24. The method of superheating vaporized fuel of claim 22wherein: each said inlet/outlet plate having an exhaust port and a fuelport.
 25. The method of superheating vaporized fuel of claim 22 wherein:said at least one heater plate having an exhaust passage and a fuelpassage.
 26. The method of superheating vaporized fuel of claim 22wherein: each said transfer plate having a transfer area and a passageopening.